Research consistently demonstrates the power of mindset on behavior change.

You can set the most exciting goals, make sure they are smart and engage the most sort after coach but unless your self-image is in alignment with the behaviors and beliefs required to achieve those goals, you will consistently fall short.

Success is not simply a will power thing. We have to deeply believe in our ability to create successful outcomes and then have the habits to get the work done through self-discipline, diligent practice and preparation.

It all begins with your self-image with specific reference to the goal you have set.

For instance, if you have a desire to be a comfortable and natural public speaker but your emotions and thoughts along with the underlying beliefs are all centered on fear and memories of mistakes; you will probably not be natural the next time you speak in public. Because much of our thoughts, emotions and actions are on automatic, you would have to do a lot more than deal with conscious outcomes (like behavior) if lasting change is desired. Often, the foundation of our self-image is not conscious; the beliefs, memories, expectations and fears are usually on automatic, until we coax them above the surface.

Maxwell Maltz, who wrote the book Psycho Cybernetics (1960) stumbled into this research when he tried to help his patients. As a plastic surgeon he did surgeries to help people look better so they can feel better about themselves. He noticed that in some cases people would get the surgery requested and almost immediately would have a change in disposition. They would become visibly happier and content with their life. Then there were others who would get a similar requested surgery to change some aspect of their face or body and for some reason they would have no change in disposition. Some of them even got more despondent after the surgery. He found that very curious. He also had patients who would come in asking for surgeries that were clearly not needed – to his eyes. The patient would be convinced for instance, that their nose was huge when it was pretty normal.

These responses baffled him and so he began research into this brand new (at the time) area of study in psychology – the self-image.

How a person saw their self – the ‘sort of person’ they were pivotal. It’s in that perception that all else rests. So if the patient thought of herself as ugly no amount of surgery would make a difference. In spite of ‘objective’ feedback from trusted sources the person would still hang on to their belief.

How the brain and nervous system supports a person’s perception of their self was fascinating to Dr. Maltz. In 1945, he began a new career with his research in psycho-cybernetics. He realized that to really help his patients he had to study their psychology and more specifically he had to help them improve their self-image.

His research provides the scientific foundation for my offerings. Success with creating new habits that help is all about self-image management and mastery.

Dr. Maltz helped his patients with 21-day programs of activity. He found that it took about 21 days for his patients to create a new self-image. And what worked for him has worked for me, my clients and my groups – I am deeply grateful to Dr. Maltz and his findings.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Dr. Maltz:

The ”self-image” is the key to human personality and human behavior.

Change the self image and you change the personality and the behavior.

Self-image sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment,

Our self-image and our habits tend to go together. Change one and you will automatically change the other.

You are embarking on the greatest adventure of your life — to improve your self-image, to create more meaning in your life and in the lives of others. This is your responsibility. Accept it, now!

First a huge APOLOGY! On Friday a message was drafted and should have been sent to you explaining the weekend of no messages that was in the offing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t sent and I’m just coming to find out this morning.

To those of you inquiring…I will make every effort to be in touch personally as soon as possible. Thank you so much for the love and best wishes. (All is well, just was unable to be online)

As you can imagine, the boatload of messages, notifications and online activity to respond to after being away for just 3 days is amazing.

So…as for our subject line question…today is day 15 of our 21 days of RIGHT ACTION. It is ALSO the 40th day of our 75 day journey together.

Which means we’ve passed the half-way mark. We’ve spent more time together than we have ahead of us, at least on this 75 day journey. 🙂

I think that is a wonderful thing. To be committed and engaged in any activity designed for self-empowerment and world impact for 40 days is something to acknowledge and celebrate.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

December has always been a lighter month for me with my work BUT something is different this year. In previous years I’ve made a deliberate attempt to slow down. It’s usually a month of organizing, reflecting and personal connections…this year, work is so intense I’ve hardly slowed down. Added to which the holiday season now is here and brings with it a whole other set of functions and activities.

These next two weeks will be magnificent! I claim it and so it is. 🙂

In the midst of activities, fast and furious it’s even more important to stay with inner peace.

Another treadmill insight for you! lol

This morning, there I was again reading and walking…found myself feeling pretty out of breath. I took note because the heart monitor thingy wasn’t working and I wasn’t doing anything so different with the workout to be winded…within moments of this thought, the person behind me stopped singing out loud in an odd voice and the machine next to me (where my husband was) suddenly went to a much slower pace.
Guess what happened? I just as suddenly was no longer out of breath!

Without realizing it I was totally affected by the noise, the pace and probably the slight irritation of the bad singing! This was reflected in my heart rate.

My lesson and yours too if you so desire… TUNE FOLKS OUT SOMETIMES!! If we go on automatic, people can really have a profound impact on our emotions AND heart rate even! Know what’s going on, recognize it for whatever it is and tune it out if necessary.

Don’t let people derail you from your best life, your best emotions and your best right actions.

Stay the course by placing them and all in perspective.

When I realized what happened, I decided to hear the singing differently. [Yes, he started back up] I heard it as a loved one singing for the first time in years because s/he had been unable to speak. Suddenly, it was heard differently and with pleasure.

AMAZING the control over our own self we all have.
What can you take more control of today?

What’s impacting you without your awareness or conscious consent?

Consider and reflect. Then take control. It may not seem or feel like it, but you are in control of all that you feel, think and do. It’s all a matter of choice.
Are you doing your daily actions – working on your project – creating a powerful habit of daily right action?

I hope it’s YES • YES • YES •!!!

The ONLY thing to do if it’s not, is FORGIVE yourself and move on.Each moment is an opportunity for a new life. You have to just take the first step in that direction.

I encourage you to share with your accountability partner, share with our journey members on the event wall and write in your journal. You will make this experience richer for yourself and for others as you share.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and you continued your right actions that are designed to create the powerful new success habits you are after.

This morning I was in the gym, on the treadmill and I was increasing the speed and slope, trying to get my heart rate elevated. As I was doing that, I realized I had to concentrate more on what I was doing (was also reading, holding the article for better viewing) by freeing my hands and breathing more consciously and deeply because the multi-tasking approach was taking its toll.

When I did that adjustment with my focus and attention, I was able to increase the slope a little higher. But again I got a bit winded, so I ever so slightly rested my hands, palm up on the bar in front of me. I was AMAZED with how immediately and significantly my breathing came under control. It was the slightest touch!

Relevance to you of all of this? You must be asking, right? 🙂

Well here it is.

Getting support on this journey does not require you to do a whole lot.Just reach out to your accountability partner, leave a message on the event wall or send me a message – or all 3, if you’re so inclined. Feeling the support of another person can make SO much difference in our lives as we take on the challenge of self-improvement and other projects.

Just reach out.

Don’t remain flustered – if I didn’t get that slight support from the bar, I would’ve had to lower my speed or slope and end up NOT getting the work-out my heart really needs.

If you don’t get the support required – we ALL need support at some point or another – you may take on a lesser challenge or even, give up on this particular endeavor, missing out on all the wonderful benefits in store for you.

And even if all is going well and wonderful – still reach out and keep the connection nurtured. That might be the precise moment your accountability partner or a person reviewing the messages at the wall, needs to hear from someone.

I received a message over the weekend that filled my heart and tickled my soul, a friend sharing gratitude and love….It just happen to arrive at one of those perfect moments of reflection.

So reach out – for you or for another. What seems like a challenge becomes even fun with a little support.